Vettel Advising Red Bull F1 Rival Norris in 2…read more
In an intriguing twist to the 2025 Formula 1 season, McLaren driver Lando Norris has revealed that four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel has been offering him advice as he challenges Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and even his own team-mate Oscar Piastri for the drivers’ championship. Vettel, who claimed all four of his titles with Red Bull from 2010 to 2013, has become an unexpected mentor figure for Norris as the Brit navigates the pressures of a tightly contested title fight.
After six races, the standings have taken a surprising shape. Oscar Piastri currently leads the championship, boasting four victories and holding a 16-point advantage over Norris. Verstappen trails both McLaren drivers by a noticeable margin, sitting 32 points behind Piastri. While McLaren appear to have the fastest car on the grid, inconsistencies—particularly from Norris—have kept the battle wide open.
Norris, known for his honesty and introspection, has been under scrutiny in recent weeks. He has not won a race since his opening-round triumph in Australia. Errors in both qualifying and races have cost him potential wins. A crash in Saudi Arabia saw him qualify only 10th, and a poor start in Miami meant he had to settle for sixth while Piastri cruised to another dominant win. These missteps have drawn criticism from pundits and former drivers who question whether Norris has the mindset to become world champion.
However, Sebastian Vettel sees things differently. The German legend, now retired from full-time racing but still deeply involved in the sport, has been privately offering Norris words of encouragement and guidance. Speaking during the Miami Grand Prix weekend, Norris shed light on their growing relationship. “Seb often texts me about these kinds of things,” Norris said. “Being a racing driver is not just about driving the car, there’s many other factors to it. Over the last few months, and the last year, I’ve learned more about the off-track stuff—how to improve it—but I’m always open for opportunities to improve even more.”
Vettel’s advice comes at a critical time for Norris. Despite the lack of wins since round one, he remains firmly in the championship hunt, with the European leg of the season looming—traditionally a crucial stretch in determining the title outcome. Vettel, known for his cerebral approach and experience with high-pressure scenarios, seems to be helping Norris cope with the mental and emotional demands that come with leading a top team and competing at the front.
Norris’ honesty in post-race interviews, often openly criticizing his own performance, has earned both admiration and criticism. While some view it as a sign of vulnerability, Vettel has praised it as a mark of maturity. Norris, in turn, sees this openness as key to his development. “It’s my way of doing things. Maybe it’s not a perfect way,” he said. “But it’s how I’ve grown up. It’s how I feel I’ve always learned from my mistakes in the best ways.”
The big question now is whether Norris can maintain his composure and capitalize on McLaren’s dominant machinery to finally outshine Verstappen and beat his team-mate Piastri. In 2024, he came close, winning four races but ultimately falling 63 points short of Verstappen, despite seemingly having the better car in the second half of the season.
With Vettel in his corner and the McLaren MCL38 proving to be the class of the field, the ingredients are all there for Norris to mount a serious title bid. But with Piastri now leading the internal battle and Verstappen never to be underestimated, the pressure is higher than ever. As the F1 circus heads to Europe, all eyes will be on whether Vettel’s guidance can help Norris take the final step from contender to champion.
